Explanation
Exercises
Adjectives Used Without a Noun
B1 Upper-Intermediate Groups · Nationalities · Style

What is “the + adjective”?

  • Meaning a whole group of people described by an adjective: the elderly, the poor, the unemployed.
  • Grammar the phrase is plural in meaning and takes a plural verb: The rich are taxed differently.
  • Alternative you can say adjective + people: rich people, blind people. (No the for general reference.)

Use this pattern for well-known social groups; we don’t form it freely with any adjective (*the beautiful* is literary/poetic, not neutral).

Common group labels

TypeExamplesModel sentence
Age the young, the elderly, the old The elderly often need special transport.
Health / ability the sick, the disabled, the deaf, the blind The deaf use sign languages in many countries.
Economy / status the poor, the rich, the homeless, the jobless, the unemployed The homeless are receiving extra support this winter.
Other fixed sets the injured, the living, the dead The injured were taken to hospital.

Style note: some labels (e.g. the handicapped, the jobless) may sound outdated or impolite in modern English. Prefer people-first phrases in formal contexts: people with disabilities, people who are unemployed.

General vs specific

  • General No article with plural/uncountable nouns: I like flowers (not *the flowers*).
  • Two correct options the poor = poor people.
  • Individual Don’t use the + adjective for one person: say a poor person / someone who is poor.

Nationalities: the + adjective

Nationality adjectives ending in -ch, -sh, -ese, -ss can refer to the whole nation.

  • The English love tea. (= English people)
  • The Swiss make precision watches.
  • The Chinese celebrate Lunar New Year.
  • The Welsh / the Irish / the French are all correct with this pattern.

Capitalise nationality words: the French, the Chinese. The phrase is plural in meaning: The Chinese are…

Nationalities: plural noun forms

Most other nationalities use a plural noun with the to mean “all people of that nationality”.

  • The Brazilians / the Italians / the Greeks
  • The Belgians are famous for chocolate.

Singular reference

  • Regular: a Brazilian, a Moroccan, an Italian
  • For -ch/-sh/-ese/-ss adjectives, use man/woman/person or a special noun: an Englishman / Englishwoman / English person; a Chinese person; a Swiss person.
  • Special demonyms: a Spaniard, a Dane, a Finn, a Scot, a Pole, a Swede, a Turk.

Form & agreement

RuleExample
the + adjective behaves like a plural noun (people) The poor need support. (not *needs*)
No plural -s after the adjective ✔ the dead · ✖ *the deads*
Abstract use is possible in fixed phrases (not people) the unknown, the supernatural, the extraordinary (often singular idea)

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • ❌ Using it for one person: *the blind came in* → ✔ a blind person came in.
  • ❌ Lower-case nationalities: *the french* → ✔ The French.
  • ❌ Wrong verb agreement: *The rich is* → ✔ The rich are.
  • ❌ Over-general or impolite labels in formal writing; prefer people-first nouns where appropriate.
Exercises:
1
2
3

Adjectives Used Without a Noun

1
____ are famous for their hospitality and storytelling.
2
Complaints about the new timetable come mostly from .
3
Rotterdam police have arrested in connection with the case.
4
They organise sports tournaments for .
5
Quito was colonised in the sixteenth century by .
6
Many experts argue that should not be held in solitary confinement.
7
How do usually celebrate New Year’s Eve?
8
Typically, are known for their punctuality.
9
More government funding should go to .
10
Emergency shelters are full; the city is trying to rehouse before winter.

Adjectives Used Without a Noun

1
Carriages reserved for ____ should be respected.
A.
B.
C.
D.
2
____ often find city rents too high.
A.
B.
C.
D.
3
____ are voting in record numbers this year.
A.
B.
C.
D.
4
The new policy aims to support ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.
5
____ are famous for their cheeses and bread.
A.
B.
C.
D.
6
____ make reliable cameras and cars.
A.
B.
C.
D.
7
Tickets are half price for ____ on Wednesdays.
A.
B.
C.
D.
8
Aid organizations are raising money for ____ affected by the floods.
A.
B.
C.
D.
9
Taxes should be fair to ____ as well as to the rich.
A.
B.
C.
D.
10
Historically, ____ have lived in the Alps for centuries.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Adjectives Used Without a Noun